GROUNDWORK CONTRACTORS INSURANCE

Safety Tips for Roadside Working

• As well as controlling traffic on the road, it is useful to have a plan around the movement of vehicles within the work zone. This is particularly relevant if you have heavy plant and machinery moving around the work area.
• Identify the different work zones and use cones and barrels to separate them. There will likely be a couple of work zones – starting and finishing areas as well as an area for raw material storage. A safe site will have these areas clearly identified and will help reduce the amount of pedestrian traffic moving within the work area.
• Wear hi-vis jackets and safety equipment.
• Managers and Safety Staff should wear a different coloured h-vis jacket so that they are quickly and easily identifiable in the event of an accident.
• Schedule regular checks to make sure that reverse alarms, mirrors and visual aid devices are all working correctly.
• Watch out for overhead wires and cables. Have a system in place to check that any plant coming on site is lower than overhead wires.
• Be aware of the traffic. Is there a rush-hour? Are there blind spots coming up to the roadworks? What about pedestrians? Will there be children in the vicinity?
• What type of traffic uses the road? Is it cars or are there busses and heavy vehicles? Bear in mind that heavier vehicles often have protruding mirrors and have a wider swing.